What’s that rash? Is that a bump or a bite? Did you touch something? Children experience skin disease and irritations just like adults. Most aren’t a big deal and will resolve on their own, but quite a few require a dermatologist.
Did you know about 20 percent of babies and young children will develop eczema? Or that one female louse can lay up to 10 eggs daily? Here are the most common skin conditions Trillium Creek Dermatology experts see in children:
- Rashes: an irritation that can come from any number of causes. They can take many forms including eczema and psoriasis.
- Eczema: also known as dermatitis, a general term that describes a wide range of skin conditions having in common redness, swelling and itchiness. A more detailed explanation of the different types of eczema here.
- Ringworm: despite the name, it has nothing to do with an actual worm. Ringworm is a contagious fungal skin infection. It shows up most often in children ages 2 and older but can affect babies and adults too.
- Hand Food and Mouth Disease: a common viral illness that is highly contagious. It is named for the rash that develops around the hands, feet and mouth. Here’s our Everything To Know About Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.
- Lice: tiny, wingless insects that infest human hair and spread like wildfire through schools. While many over-the-counter treatments are effective, lice have emerged that are resistant to a number of common treatments, so recurring cases may require specialized treatment from a skin expert.
- Warts: non-cancerous skin growths caused by the human papilloma virus. They are common around the nails, back of the hand and soles of the feet. Warts can be raised and rough, flat and scaly or long and narrow, depending on their type and location on the skin.
- Hives: a general term describing red, itchy welts that can appear anywhere on the skin. They can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly, and usually do not result in scarring. A more detailed explanation of the different types of hives here.
- Chickenpox: a highly contagious viral infection, most often seen in kids ages 5 to 10. Most cases heal without complications and with minimal scarring if scratching is controlled. However, in certain cases we may prescribe antiviral medications to shorten the duration of the infection as well as antihistamines to relieve itching.
- MRSA: a very resistant staph bacteria that causes severe infections in different parts of the body. It is much tougher to treat than most strains of staph because it is resistant to several antibiotics.
- Impetigo: most common in infants and children, it’s highly contagious but easily treatable with antibiotics.
The above are just a few skin irritations, infections and diseases that affect children. If your child suffers from any irritation, mild or sever, schedule an appointment today with your Trillium Creek Dermatology expert.
About Trillium Creek Dermatology: Few places in the country offer the quality care, innovation and state-of-the-art procedures that are available at Trillium Creek. Through our integrative medicine approach, Trillium offers world-class general dermatology, dermatologic surgery, laser surgery, cosmetic dermatology, skin cancer treatment, Mohs surgery and holistic medicine.
